Looking for the best real estate schools in New Mexico? We’ve got you covered! To become licensed, you’ll need to complete a 90-hour prelicensing course. To help you get started, we’ve uncovered all the features of the top New Mexico real estate schools to help you choose the one that’s right for you. We’ve compared cost, ease of use, quality of instruction, course design, and more. Let’s dive in!
4 Best New Mexico Real Estate Schools
| Our Top Picks | Pricing From | Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Kaplan | $809 | KAPRE5 – Save 5% |
| Best Self-paced Online Study: The CE Shop | $809 | TheClose35 – Save 35% |
| Best Weekend Classes: Real Estate Institute Las Cruces | $735 | |
| Best for Accelerated Study: One Stop Real Estate Education Services | $747 |
(New Mexico prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
New Mexico Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info
New Mexico Estate Governing Body:
New Mexico Real Estate Commission
Prelicensing Requirements:
90 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
30 Hours Within the First Year
Continuing Education Requirements:
36 Hours Every Three Years + 4-Hour Core Course Every Year
Before you jump into your 90-hour prelicensing course, we’ve collected some helpful information for you along the way. In New Mexico, real estate agents are referred to as associate brokers. Meanwhile, the professionals who oversee associate brokers are referred to as qualifying brokers, and they’re equipped to manage a brokerage.
Take a look at the various programs offered by the schools on our list. We’ve outlined how these programs fit into your real estate journey and what you can expect from each one.
Prelicensing Courses
In New Mexico, you must complete 90 hours of prelicensing coursework before you’re eligible to take the license exam. The prelicensing coursework is separated into three distinct courses:
- Real Estate Principles and Practice (30 hours)
- Real Estate Law (30 hours)
- Broker Basics (30 hours)
You have the option of completing your prelicensing course in a classroom or online. While some people appreciate the flexibility of a self-paced course, others function better under a set schedule. Our pick for best overall school, Kaplan, offers a hybrid package with self-paced courses and live instruction for the best of both worlds.
Exam Preparation
Once you’ve finished your prelicensing course, it’ll be time to focus on preparing for your license exam. Real estate schools offer exam prep packages to help you study for the exam. Although exam prep tools vary, many of them include practice questions or sample tests so you can get a sense of the topics that’ll appear on the exam. Plus, you can often find helpful resources like live study groups, guides, and flashcards.
Post-licensing
Once you receive your associate broker license in New Mexico, you’ll be required to complete the New Broker Business Practices Course (30 hours) within your first year as an associate broker.
This course is often offered as part of real estate schools’ continuing education (CE) courses instead of a standalone post-licensing course. That’s because you may apply up to 10 credit hours from your New Broker Business Practices Course toward the continuing education requirements to renew your license.
Continuing Education
Associate brokers in New Mexico must complete 36 hours of continuing education every three years in order to renew their licenses. As part of the CE requirements, you must take a four-hour core course every year (amounting to 12 hours total over your three-year renewal cycle).
As a result, you can expect real estate schools to offer the annual core course as a standalone course, and you’ll often find a 24-hour CE package to fulfill your other requirements.
It’s helpful to understand how each program affects your career in real estate since you’ll be returning to your real estate education time and time again to renew your license. Now that you’re up to speed, let’s jump into our top picks of schools.
Best Overall Real Estate School in New Mexico: Kaplan
Kaplan Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Continuing Education
- Broker Prelicensing
Kaplan tops our list because they offer expertly designed courses led by top-quality instructors. They know that most students want to be able to take their real estate education from home but still offer both self-paced and live online instruction.
Given that Kaplan has been in the test and exam prep industry since 1938, they have a lot of experience helping students prepare for exams and move to new careers. They’re also the only school on our list that offers program options for every stage of your real estate career in New Mexico.
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Kaplan Pricing
Kaplan offers two live online prelicensing course options and two hybrid learning packages which feature self-paced options.
- Essential Associate Broker Licensing Live Online Package ($809): This package includes your 90-hour prelicensing course via scheduled livestream classes, plus access to an interactive study group to help you understand all course concepts.
- Premium Associate Broker Licensing Live Online Package ($959): Choose this package to get all the features above, plus a national and state exam prep program full of practice questions.
- Essential Associate Broker Licensing Video Package With Live Online Broker Basics ($809): This hybrid package includes the Real Estate Law and Real Estate Principles courses offered via online video, and a live scheduled Broker Basics course, plus access to a study group.
- Premium Associate Broker Licensing Online Video Package With Live Online Broker Basics ($959): Like the Premium Live Online Package, you’ll get all of the features of the previous program, including exam prep, but two of your courses will be offered via video to complete at your own pace.
(New Mexico prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We have plenty to say about Kaplan’s great prelicensing options in New Mexico. We love their transparent pricing so students can find out exactly what they’re getting from their course upfront. Plus, the option to complete your course entirely through scheduled classes or a hybrid model is appealing.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: We’re curious why Kaplan doesn’t offer a completely self-paced prelicensing package. We’d also love to see even a light version of exam prep offered in their basic package option (although you do still get access to the interactive study group at each level).
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t be disappointed in Kaplan’s expertly curated material, presented in an easy-to-follow format to enjoy learning from home.
Readers of The Close can save 5% off of Kaplan classes using promo code KAPRE5.
Best Real Estate School for Online Self-paced Study in New Mexico: The CE Shop
The CE Shop Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Continuing Education
The combination of its skillfully crafted coursework and useful package features places The CE Shop on our list for self-placed online learning. The CE Shop wants to make studying as simple as possible by providing all the necessary tools to learn from home or on the go.
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Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY Trial!
The CE Shop is the only school on our list that lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!
The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers prospective associate brokers three online, self-paced prelicensing packages in New Mexico.
- Course Only ($809): Exactly as it sounds, you’ll get all three 30-hour required prelicensing courses to complete at your own pace on an easy-to-use online platform with interactive content.
- Standard Package ($879): Enjoy the Course Only package’s features, plus get The CE Shop’s Exam Prep Edge tools to ensure you’re prepared for the license exam.
- Value Package ($929): This package includes everything from the standard package, but you’ll also get career resources to help get your business off the ground with practical strategies.
(New Mexico prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
The Close readers can SAVE 35% on any The CE Shop prelicensing course in New Mexico. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: While most real estate schools’ prelicensing package prices are comparable, The CE Shop’s packages frequently go on sale. Be sure to check their site often since you can often save 25% off their prelicensing packages, making them the cheapest option on our list of schools. To save even more, don’t forget to use the promo code reserved for readers of The Close.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: We suppose we shouldn’t be too disappointed with the lack of extra features on The CE Shop’s “Course Only” option since it’s clear about its offerings. Nevertheless, the school could set itself apart if it offered an additional features in its most basic package.
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t go wrong choosing The CE Shop if you’re looking to complete your coursework online at your own pace.
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Best Real Estate School for Weekend Classes in New Mexico: Real Estate Institute Las Cruces
Real Estate Institute Las Cruces Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Continuing Education
Real Estate Institute Las Cruces puts on live classes for prospective associate brokers in New Mexico. They offer prelicensing courses and continuing education, and take pride in thorough and engaging instruction.
Real Estate Institute Las Cruces Pros | Real Estate Institute Las Cruces Cons |
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Real Estate Institute Las Cruces Pricing
Real Estate Institute Las Cruces offers each of the 30-hour mandatory prelicensing courses individually for registration, but you’ll save $150 when you sign up for all three at once.
Real Estate Institute Las Cruces Packages
- Real Estate Law, Principles of Real Estate & Broker Basics Bundle ($735): Register for all three classes to take advantage of $150 off the total cost and enjoy your live instruction in a classroom on the weekends in Las Cruces.
- Individual Course ($295): Choose between any of the three mandatory courses to take as a standalone course with a live instructor at the Las Cruces location.
(New Mexico prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: Real Estate Institute Las Cruces’ best feature is that they offer prelicensing courses on weekends. You could finish the prelicensing requirements in as little as 12 weeks without juggling work, life, and school during the week.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: We wish Real Estate Institute Las Cruces provided students with more information before signing up so they can get an idea of the format and features of the class. Though there usually aren’t many extra tools available for in-person courses, it would be great if students had the option to try a class for free.
BOTTOM LINE: Real Estate Institute Las Cruces is perfect for anyone who is looking to keep their weekdays clear and weekends open for their coursework.
Best Real Estate School for Accelerated Study in New Mexico: One Stop Real Estate Education Services
One Stop Real Estate Education Services Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Continuing Education
One Stop Real Estate Education Services has been providing online real estate education in New Mexico since 1995. They made our list for their accelerated livestream courses, offered across four consecutive days. The school’s founder, Jack Sheehan, leads his engaging classes and provides you with top-notch instructor support during class time.
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One Stop Real Estate Education Services Pricing
One Stop Real Estate Education Services offers each 30-hour prelicensing course individually as livestream classes over four consecutive days.
- Real Estate Law, Principles of Real Estate, or Broker Basics Course ($295): Take your individual 30-hour course from Friday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday to complete your course in no time. Bundle pricing is available.
(New Mexico prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: The advantage of One Stop Real Estate Education Services is definitely the fact that you can complete your 90-hour prelicensing course in three weeks if you take each 30-hour portion every weekend. This works perfectly for anyone trying to work through their course as quickly as possible.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: One Stop Real Estate Education Services currently only provides livestream classes and doesn’t offer self-paced online options. They also don’t offer too many additional exam prep materials to prepare for the license exam, except for the support and resources you’ll get during class time.
BOTTOM LINE: Choose One Stop Real Estate Education Services if you’re looking to complete your prelicensing course quickly and efficiently.
FAQs About Real Estate Schools in New Mexico
Do you still have questions about real estate in New Mexico? Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions, so you’re covered. If you have any more questions, leave us a comment—we’d love to hear from you!
How do I get a real estate license in New Mexico?
To get your New Mexico real estate license, you’ll start by taking a 90-hour prelicensing course and sitting for the New Mexico Associate Broker license exam. Then, you’ll need to complete a fingerprint background check. You’ll also need to find a sponsoring broker to work under and obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to submit an application to the New Mexico Real Estate Commission for your license.
How much does a real estate license cost in New Mexico?
It costs roughly $1,200 to get your real estate license in New Mexico. The price of your prelicensing course accounts for most of the license cost, and it’ll vary based on the course package you choose. Besides your course, you’ll have a few one-time costs to pay before you can get your license:
- License exam fee ($95)
- Fingerprinting background check ($44)
- License application fee ($270)
How much do real estate agents make in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, the average yearly salary for associate brokers is $84,438, according to Indeed.com. Although new agents begin with a lower salary, with time and expertise, the average pay rises. After all, your potential revenue in a career that is commission-based is essentially limitless.
Can I get my New Mexico real estate license if I'm licensed in another state?
New Mexico has a reciprocity agreement with Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Georgia. If you have an active real estate license from one of these states, you can contact the New Mexico Real Estate Commission to expedite the process of being locally licensed.
How hard is the New Mexico real estate license exam?
You’ll need to do some work to make it through the New Mexico real estate license exam, but with good study habits and preparation, you can pass. The exam is administered by PSI Testing, and you have up to three years after finishing your prelicensing course to sit for your license exam.
The New Mexico Associate Broker License Exam has a national section and a state-specific section. You’ll have two hours to complete the 80-question national portion and one hour to complete the 50-question state portion. You must obtain a score of 70% to pass, and you’ll find out your test score immediately upon finishing the exam.
How many Realtors are there in New Mexico?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ November 2022 data, there are 7,708 Realtors in New Mexico. This is a very slight decrease from the previous month, and a 1.26% increase from this time last year.
What’s the average home price in New Mexico?
According to Zillow, home values in New Mexico have risen more than 14% in 2022, reaching $300,527. They are slightly higher in Albuquerque ($300,527), and much higher in Santa Fe ($567,613).
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Bringing It All Together
We hope that our informative guide has helped you find the best real estate school in New Mexico that works for your schedule. At every step of your career, The Close is dedicated to providing tools, tips, and strategies you’ll find useful. Have additional thoughts or questions? Leave us a comment below!
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